Audio Editor

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the fun, supportive and award-winning Audio team at HarperCollins. We are looking for a creative, organised and proactive audiobook professional to bring their knowledge of the market and prior experience to lead the ambitious audio publishing programme for some of the most innovative commercial fiction and children’s publishing lists.

As Audio Editor you will be responsible for the audio publishing programme for One More Chapter, HQ Digital and Barrington Stoke, and delivering on our Total Audio commitment (uniquely among UK publishers, HarperCollins is committed to releasing an audiobook edition of every narrative print book we publish, on the same publication date as the title’s other formats). Recent publications on these lists include The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods, The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore, Dead Man's Grave by Neil Lancasterand Northern Soul by Phil Earle.

You will be casting audiobook projects for these divisions with the best acting talent and working with studio partners so that projects are produced to the highest quality, on time and to budget. You will also advocate for the audio format in the publication process, working with a large team of internal and external stakeholders, and you will deliver excellent author care. Please note that this is not a hands-on studio production role.

This role is the perfect opportunity for an experienced audio professional who loves commercial fiction to flourish. The ideal candidate will know the audio space inside out, with great ideas on what makes an award-winning audiobook and good knowledge of the latest developments in the wider audio industry.

 Key tasks and accountabilities:

• Leads and champions audio with divisional colleagues throughout the publishing process, with the aim of delivering best-in-class audio

• Casts productions with creativity and authenticity, keeping up to date with new and existing voice talent and maintaining good working relationships with voice agents

• Manages the critical path, and liaises with internal and external stakeholders, to ensure all titles are cast, scripts assigned, and audio delivered on time and to budget

• Liaises with in-house colleagues on all aspects of publishing – including acquisitions, pitches, marketing, publicity, sales and production – to ensure smooth running of the division’s audio schedule and promote the catalogue

• Negotiates narrator fees with talent agents

• Leads audio product development for assigned divisions

• Works closely with assigned divisions to promote audio and advise on new opportunities and audio products, including identifying backlist opportunities

• Responsible for divisional audio rights pitches and acquisitions

Delivers excellent author care on every project

Experience required:

• Experience in an audio editorial role, working with studios and producers to bring stories to life with innovative and exciting audio production techniques

• An in-depth knowledge of, and passion for, literary fiction and a broad range of non-fiction

• Knowledge of the audiobook market and experience working in the audio industry – this can include audio publishing, podcasting, radio, or other areas of the audio industry

• Experience in dealing with literary and/or theatrical agents and booking talent

 Skills required:

• Strong project management skills and ability to oversee multiple projects at once

• Ability to work creatively to specific briefs

• Collaborative team player who can work with many internal and external stakeholders

• Highly organised with great time management skills

• Attention to detail and ability to apply this to the close reading and preparation of manuscripts, precise casting briefs, and intricate productions

• Commercial acumen – particularly in how to produce audio content that will drive sales and reach new consumers

• Proven interpersonal, relationship-building, communication and presentation skills

• Proficient at coping with fast-paced agendas, changing schedules and tight deadlines

Benefits 

• Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days) 

• Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave 

• Private healthcare cover and life assurance 

• Summer Hours  

• Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal 

• Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme 

• Relocation Rent Support Loan  

• Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work, Pride at HC, Social Mobility Network and Neurodiversity at Work

• Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes 

• Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers 

• Gym membership discount 

• Onsite physiotherapy (London only) 

• Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days 

• We're a certified Carbon Neutral company

• Green Electric/Hybrid Car Benefit Scheme (salary sacrifice)

• With Trees for Life we plant a tree in the Highlands of Scotland for every permanent hire

• Free e-books and audiobooks, digital newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books 

• Subsidised canteen and retail discounts 

• Onsite prayer room 

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews and undertaking internships or entry level positions. For more information visit  https://www.btbs.org/

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to [email removed - click apply for more details] with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.

Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.